Nana Upstairs and Nana Downstairs
A story about a boy with two grandmothers, one living upstairs and one downstairs. When one passes away, the book handles the loss plainly, making the relationship and the subsequent grief feel significant.
Nana Upstairs and Nana Downstairs by Tomie dePaola is estimated to take about 8 minutes to read aloud (705 words, about 2 sentences a page), and it lands best with children aged 4-6.
Check the book on AmazonAffiliate link
- Estimated read-aloud time
- about 8 minutesEstimated read-aloud time
- Word count
- 705Counted words
- Sentences per page
- 2Sentences per page
- Re-read tolerance
- 3/5holds up
- Vocabulary level
- 3/5a few new words
- Best for
- Ages 4-6Our editorial fit
Our review
The book builds a sense of family life by showing the boy’s bond with both grandmothers before the loss occurs. This makes the eventual departure feel earned and meaningful.
It is a quiet, autobiographical approach to death that is very direct. It is suited for older children who can follow a more paced, thoughtful narrative about family and memory.
Before you buy it
This is a quiet, autobiographical read that includes two deaths. If your child needs a story with a more driving plot, they might lose interest.
Themes
- death
- grandmothers
- memory
- family
Books like Nana Upstairs and Nana Downstairs
Matched by refrain, density, length, and listener—not just the subject.
Badger's Parting Giftsabout 10 minutes estimated · 3/5 re-read
The Tenth Good Thing About Barneyabout 9 minutes estimated · 3/5 re-read
Ida, Alwaysabout 9 minutes estimated · 3/5 re-read
Lifetimes: The Beautiful Way to Explain Death to Childrenabout 6 minutes estimated · 2/5 re-read
Mr. Putter & Tabby Pour the Teaabout 6.5 minutes estimated · 5/5 re-read
Questions parents ask
How long does it take to read Nana Upstairs and Nana Downstairs aloud?
About 8 minutes at an unhurried pace, including a standard allowance for page turns, pictures and participation, from a word count of 705. Stopping for a longer conversation on every page will add more time.
What age is Nana Upstairs and Nana Downstairs actually for?
Ages 4-6 in our testing, which is narrower than the publisher's range. With 2 sentences a page and vocabulary at 3 out of 5, it asks for that much attention span and no more.
Does Nana Upstairs and Nana Downstairs survive being read on repeat?
Yes, reasonably. It stays bearable through the repeat-request phase without becoming a favourite forever.
Can a beginning reader read Nana Upstairs and Nana Downstairs on their own?
Not yet. At vocabulary level 3 out of 5 and 2 sentences a page, it is a read-aloud book rather than a first solo read. Read it to them now, and hand it over in a year or two.
What themes does Nana Upstairs and Nana Downstairs cover?
We tag it with death, grandmothers, memory and family. Those are the threads that actually run through the book, not just the ones on the cover, which is how it earns its place on our themed lists rather than a keyword match.
